Overcoming decades of negligence, women officers play key role in police

Women’s confinement to stereotype household roles is a thing of the past with many stepping out to join professions hitherto considered male bastions.

Not only are they taking up office jobs but working next to men even in risky fields like policing, excelling in field operations.

Abida Sultana, DMP additional deputy commissioner of Lalbagh for the last two years, clinched the President Police Medal this year.

“Earlier, women were given only desk jobs. But, now, after proving our quality and skills, we are working at all levels including in the field. Women officials are regularly being assigned as chiefs of various units.”

Female officers now play a leading role in police operations in various areas.

Taptun Nasrin is the Superintendent of Rajbarhi police. Additional Inspector General Fatema Begum, is the rector of Police Staff College. DIG Mili Biswas heads DMP’s traffic division.  

Assistant Superintendent of Police Amena Begum thinks their participation is having a positive effect not only in the police administration, but on women as a whole.

Currently the superintendent of Narshingdi police, Amena also carried out the same responsibility in Rangamati.

Asma Begum Rita’s first preference in her civil service application was to be a police officer. The senior assistant commissioner says, “I wanted to join the police to serve women along with the rest of the society.”

Women were first inducted into the police in 1974 with seven women sub-inspectors and seven constables joining the force and being assigned to the Special Branch.

The next step came more than a decade later with a woman joining as a first-class officer in 1986 after being selected for civil service.

But it was not a smooth start with women’s participation being stumped by widespread scepticism about appointment to policy-making levels and them playing an active role in a challenging and taxing profession like that of the police.

ASP Amena Begum pointed out that the long gap in appointing female officers prior to 1996 would take some more years to be filled. 

Now, many women officers are working in various important positions like Deputy Inspector General in the police’s Special Branch, Criminal Investigation Department and Dhaka’s Detective Branch.

“Even a few years back, people would eye women dressed in police uniform differently,” Asma Begum Rita said. 

“Stereotypes like women were not physically strong or will not be able to successfully juggle their profession and family duties also negatively impacted their appointment to responsible positions.”

The official expressed her happiness over the current state of evaluation and empowerment of female officers in the Bangladesh Police, adding that a large number of women were now keen to join the profession.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Rahima Akhter Lucky has been working as the chief of metro traffic police’s Gulshan zone.

“Many women got down from their cars and praised me while I was on duty on the streets around 10pm. Many said my presence and role are making them feel secure and allowing them to travel tension-free.”

ASP Amena Begum said the participation of female officers of the Bangladesh Police in UN Peacekeeping Missions had also a growing trend. “The situation has become more woman-friendly and is a lot better now.”

Female officers are making important contributions to the peace missions, creating a positive image of Bangladesh.

Police’s women contingents are working in Haiti, Congo and Sudan.